Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Lincoln City?

**Yes**, Lincoln City requires a Short-Term Rental License to operate legally. You need to apply for this license through the city's permitting department and meet all safety and operational requirements. Expect to be placed on a waitlist due to license caps in residential zones.

What is the TOT tax rate in Lincoln City?

**9.5% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate in Lincoln City. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Check with the Lincoln City finance department for specific filing deadlines and reporting procedures to remain compliant.

How much does an STR permit cost in Lincoln City?

**$654** is the current fee for a Short-Term Rental License in Lincoln City. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with processing your application and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Be sure to factor this cost into your operating budget when starting your STR business.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Lincoln City?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Lincoln City. Only property owners are eligible to apply for and receive a Short-Term Rental License. Subletting rules are strictly enforced, so check your lease agreement before listing.

Lincoln City

Q: Are short-term rentals allowed in Lincoln City?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Lincoln City, but the market is highly regulated. There is a hard cap on the number of licenses issued in residential zones. New hosts should expect to be placed on a waitlist due to the current license limit.

Strict

OregonUpdated Apr 19, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Lincoln City has a highly regulated short-term rental market with a hard cap on the number of licenses issued in residential zones. New hosts should expect to be placed on a waitlist as the current license limit is frequently reached.

Restriction level

Severity 48

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $654
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$654

Processing timeVariable (License cap and waitlist in effect)

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A strict cap on the number of licenses is in effect; you may not be able to host immediately.
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
3Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced (2 per bedroom + 2, max 12 total).
4One-strike policy: Certain noise or nuisance violations can lead to immediate license suspension.
5Owners must file quarterly tax returns even if all taxes were collected and remitted by the platform.
6Parking must be provided off-street; guests cannot use street parking.
7Licenses are non-transferable upon the sale of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility11 rules

Lincoln City: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Lincoln City allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums, Multi-family (subject to zoning).
Lincoln City prohibits STRs in the following property types: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Recreational Vehicles, Tents.

Requirements20 rules

Lincoln City STR warning: A strict cap on the number of licenses is in effect; you may not be able to host immediately.
Lincoln City STR warning: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
Lincoln City: Licenses are non-transferable upon the sale of the property.
Lincoln City STR warning: Licenses are non-transferable upon the sale of the property.

Application process11 rules

Lincoln City STR permit - Step 1: Waitlist Check. Check the current license cap status. If the cap is reached, you must apply to be placed on the waitlist. Time: Immediate.
Lincoln City, OR: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan with dimensions, Site plan for parking, Proof of insurance, Property Management plan, Public notice declaration.

Fees & costs1 rule

Lincoln City charges a registration fee of $654 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Lincoln City: Owners must file quarterly tax returns even if all taxes were collected and remitted by the platform.
Lincoln City charges a Transient Room Tax of 9.5%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit most city-level taxes, but owners must still file quarterly zero-returns.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Lincoln City limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Lincoln City occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 12 total. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Lincoln City limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 12 total
Lincoln City enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Lincoln City requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Address clearly visible from street, Emergency exit signs, Property management contact posted inside.

Penalties3 rules

Lincoln City enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Civil penalty up to $500. Second offense: License suspension. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: $500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Lincoln City: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Lincoln City: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Lincoln City, OR: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Lincoln City exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Lincoln City

Strict

OregonUpdated Apr 19, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 48

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $654
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$654

Processing timeVariable (License cap and waitlist in effect)

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A strict cap on the number of licenses is in effect; you may not be able to host immediately.
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
3Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced (2 per bedroom + 2, max 12 total).
4One-strike policy: Certain noise or nuisance violations can lead to immediate license suspension.
5Owners must file quarterly tax returns even if all taxes were collected and remitted by the platform.
6Parking must be provided off-street; guests cannot use street parking.
7Licenses are non-transferable upon the sale of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility11 rules

Lincoln City: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Lincoln City allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums, Multi-family (subject to zoning).
Lincoln City prohibits STRs in the following property types: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Recreational Vehicles, Tents.

Requirements20 rules

Lincoln City STR warning: A strict cap on the number of licenses is in effect; you may not be able to host immediately.
Lincoln City STR warning: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
Lincoln City: Licenses are non-transferable upon the sale of the property.
Lincoln City STR warning: Licenses are non-transferable upon the sale of the property.

Application process11 rules

Lincoln City STR permit - Step 1: Waitlist Check. Check the current license cap status. If the cap is reached, you must apply to be placed on the waitlist. Time: Immediate.
Lincoln City, OR: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan with dimensions, Site plan for parking, Proof of insurance, Property Management plan, Public notice declaration.

Fees & costs1 rule

Lincoln City charges a registration fee of $654 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Lincoln City: Owners must file quarterly tax returns even if all taxes were collected and remitted by the platform.
Lincoln City charges a Transient Room Tax of 9.5%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit most city-level taxes, but owners must still file quarterly zero-returns.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Lincoln City limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Lincoln City occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 12 total. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Lincoln City limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 12 total
Lincoln City enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Lincoln City requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Address clearly visible from street, Emergency exit signs, Property management contact posted inside.

Penalties3 rules

Lincoln City enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Civil penalty up to $500. Second offense: License suspension. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: $500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Lincoln City: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Lincoln City: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Lincoln City, OR: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Lincoln City exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Lincoln City?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Lincoln City?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Lincoln City?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Lincoln City?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Lincoln City?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Lincoln City?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Lincoln City?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Lincoln City?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Lincoln City?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Lincoln City?

Disclaimer